Range Review: Wingman Loop System

Wingman have been influential in the race scene for some time now, with plenty of the top riders demanding their custom harness and connection solutions, with some big names both using and helping to develop their products. When big brands like ION are collaborating to mass produce their integrated harness concepts, that’s definitely an indication that they are doing groundbreaking work. Never ones to stand still, Ronny and Pietro recently sent us a full new range of five beautifully handmade loops and slides. For the plastic components, they’ve utilized multi-jet-fusion 3D print techniques, and the finish is extremely durable and professional.

Whilst these systems are designed for booms or long front handles, as the majority of the race scene prefer and use them, Wingman sells The Handle, little bridges for connecting to short hard handles. These are square so the loops index perfectly at 90 degrees to the sail.

The two VarioLoops allow trimming of your loop length on the fly via a brilliantly designed 3D printed mushroom shaped toggle. This works well ergonomically, gripping between your index and middle finger, and operates impressively under load whilst hooked in as long as your wing isn’t sheeted in too far. Hidden in the top of the loop is a small cleat where you can lock off the length you want, and the PU shrinks to your taste. To let it back out again, simply pull the toggle sideways and the PU loops extend again. They give you an amazing amount of trim and comfort over your upwind and downwind leg. The Vario Loop is available in 60 and 120 versions. The numeric designation refers to how much range (in mm) each loop can be changed. The 60 version has a shorter range and is a 2:1 pulley system, making it half the effort to pull and extra smooth in operation, and is designed for racers who know where they want their range to be. The 120mm has a 1:1 system and gives the more novice rider a huge range of adjustment to dial in their comfortable reach.
´
The VarioSpinner loop builds on the concept, but rather than extending the PU loop, it extends the shaft between the indexing stop and the spinner. Ingeniously this allows full 360 spinning of the wing whilst hooked in which opens up a host of hooked-in tricks. The system also has a bungee return, so when you unhook, the loop runs back up the alloy shaft and indexes perfectly perpendicular to the boom, for super easy hooking back in. For a loop that performs so many adjustments, it still remains remarkably clean and simple to operate.

The Spinner is a simple fixed loop which remains the same length, and can be ordered or cut to a specific size. The party trick is full 360 degree rotation and when not under load it retracts and indexes itself against the 3D-printed interlocking shaft much like the VarioSpinner. It’s ideal for a less race-focused rider who wants the simplicity of a fixed loop, and doesn’t require the trim, but will benefit the spinning ability to open up a whole host of potential tricks and transitions. This is for sure the freerider’s weapon of choice from the range.

The BoomCover allows the user to adjust the center position of the mono loop on the boom or long front handle and get your trim point just right for upwind vs. downwind riding and remain comfortably hooked-in the entire time. It has a textured external finish which gives the perfect amount of grip to keep it locked in position, but you can budge the mono loop left and right with your thumbs when you want to. Installation is easy – simply Velcro it on nice and tight at the balance point of your boom. It’s a good idea to test this a little on the beach.

Wingman as a brand continue to push development of harness accessories way ahead of anyone else, with the new loop range at the (excuse the pun) leading edge of what’s currently available. Their boutique in-house manufacturing and bespoke brand agility let them develop and test fast and produce some incredibly versatile and effective products. It’s a prime example of a nimble brand succeeding in a niche market, and we salute them.